Supreme Court Rulings Change the U.S. Energy Game

In a 9-0 ruling earlier this month, the Supreme Court vacated a decision by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, saying the appeals court implicitly invalidated 1980 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations without considering whether it had jurisdiction to do so (Environmental Defense v. Duke EnergyCorp., No. 05-848).

Renewable energy experts hailed the ruling as the first step to force baseload coal plants to invest in meeting emissions standards like all other energy sources — and that these investments will be reflected in increased rates, making baseload renewables such as biopower, concentrated solar, geothermal and wind more competitive.

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